The influence of seasonal factors on postoperative bacterial infection in lung transplantation patients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Lung transplantation is a critical intervention for patients with irreversible, end-stage lung diseases. Postoperative infection is a common complication of lung transplantation, significantly affecting the survival of patients. Thus, a greater understanding of the spectrum of pathogens and the possible factors related to postoperative infections will aid in the prevention and treatment of postoperative infections. This study examined the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens causing surgical site infections in lung transplant patients, as well as seasonal variations.

METHODS

The data of 204 lung transplant patients at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from 2016 to 2022, including data on the pathogenic type and drug resistance at the surgical site, were collected and analyzed. Seasonal effects on infection and drug resistance rates were assessed through univariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Acinetobacter baumannii (26.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (23.6%) were predominant in the 499 bacterial pathogens identified. Acinetobacter baumannii infection rates were seasonally higher in summer and fall (P=0.045), and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae peaked in these seasons (P=0.02). The multifactor analysis confirmed the seasonal pattern for Acinetobacter baumannii (P=0.03, β=0.7). There were no seasonal differences in infection or drug resistance among the other pathogens.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-transplant infections by Acinetobacter baumannii and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae are more prevalent in summer and fall due to temperature influences; however, no seasonal variations in other pathogens were observed.